Rebel groups in Negros Occidental are in their survival stage, 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) commander General Orlando Edralin said.

Edralin said rebel forces in the province continue to weaken due to the ongoing military operations, with the help of local government units and communities.

He said the rebel groups’ tactical offenses against government forces had not been successful for the past year.

They only have a few members left, Edralin said.

The 303IBde commander added that the rebel groups have no support from the communities, and even their relatives are negotiating with the military for them to undergo reformation.

Most of the rebel group members have also returned to the fold, and availed of government programs.

Edralin has again called on the remaining members of the disbanded rebel groups to surrender and appeal for amnesty.

According to the 3rd Infantry Division, 42 insurgent groups in Western Visayas have been neutralized by the military this year.

A total of 21 rebel groups are from Negros Island, and 21 are from Panay.

Sixteen of them were killed in different encounters, 24 have surrendered while two have been arrested./WDJ